Although Rooney is desperate to stay and repay fans for almost walking out on the club two years ago in a contract dispute, he admitted that decision was not his.

Shake on it: The relationship between Alex Ferguson and Wayne Rooney has fractured (Image: Getty)

“I’ve said many times that as long as I’m wanted here then I will be a Manchester United player,” he said. “Obviously I had that situation a couple of years ago, but made it clear very quickly I had made a mistake.

“As long as people want me to be a Manchester United player, then that is what I will be.”

Rooney’s remarks are a tacit admission that, although he wants to remain, it is ultimately Ferguson who calls the shots.

Ferguson was unimpressed with Rooney’s physical ­condition at the start of the season, while the relationship between the pair has never fully recovered following the contract stand-off.

Against that backdrop, Rooney, virtually ­guaranteed a first-team place since he joined from Everton in 2004, conceded he will have to get used to squad rotation. Although keen to forge a partnership with Van Persie when over his injury, he conceded at times he may be forced to watch from the sidelines.

“You can’t assume you’re going to play,” said Rooney. “But I’ve always worked very, very hard to make sure the manager has to play me.

“I’ve had this injury setback but I’m working very hard in the gym to make sure that when I’m told it’s OK to return, then I’ll be back in there and scoring goals.

“We’ve so many forwards now. I think that competition is great for us all. We’re all fighting to get into the team and score goals.

“It’s great for the manager and we all have to make sure we give the manager the headache he wants in one way but doesn’t in another.

“I’m looking forward to getting back into the team and trying to forge an understanding with Robin.

New kid in town: Robin van Persie's arrival means Wayne Rooney is no longer considered first choice

“Since I’ve been at United I’ve had good partnerships with the likes of Ruud van ­Nistelrooy, Louis Saha, Carlos Tevez, Dimitar Berbatov, Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck.

“With all those players I’ve had to adapt my game. It’s a case of whether I play behind them or I’m the one up front. I’ve always managed to adapt and fit in.

“I’m sure whatever the manager has planned for us, whether it’s me high up or Robin or Shinji Kagawa playing just behind or whatever, there are so many options.

“It’s well known the manager rotates the team and has done for many years. We’ll benefit from that come the end of the season.

“Robin is a player who likes to stay high up. He’s also capable of playing in behind. He is well capable of doing so many things.

“I’ve played behind with Ruud and Louis. They’re great options for the manager and for us forwards you have to make sure you are always in his thinking and we’re at our best for playing.”

Rooney, who celebrates 10 years playing in the Premier League this season, admitted the decade had been a ­rollercoaster experience, with plenty of highs and lows on and off the field.

“There have been massive highs and there have been lows,” said Rooney.

“It’s been a great ­experience. Playing in, in my eyes, the best league in the world for 10 years is fantastic.

Back in the day: Wayne Rooney has admitted his career has been a rollercoaster since his Everton beginnings (Image: Getty)

“To start off at your boyhood team [Everton] and then spend the last eight seasons with Manchester United has been great. I’ve won titles and a Champions League and over the last few seasons I’ve started to score more goals as well.

“There have been sticky patches but you can learn from those as well. It’s an overall experience.

“I hope the next 10 years can be as successful.

“I look at the likes of Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes at United and they’re a massive example to us all. To play in this league at this kind of level for so long is incredible. It’s what we all want to do.

Rooney identified ­champions Manchester City as United’s major title rivals this season, but predicted Chelsea will be in the mix and that Liverpool will have a resurgence, despite their poor start to the season.

“It will obviously be United and City,” said Rooney. “But Chelsea are very ­experienced and will always be in there.

“It wouldn’t surprise me to see Liverpool coming back. Brendan Rodgers is a good manager and he’ll get them playing good football.”